WHAT'S NEW:

No recent state activity has been identified.

AIR EMISSIONS REGULATIONS:

Air Quality Status	All areas are in attainment. EPA's Nonattainment Areas
Major Source Threshold	PTE 250 tons (100 for listed sources) of any criteria pollutant.
Minor Source Permitting Exemption	Sources smaller than 400 hp; “small unit” and “substantial small unit” designations.
Minor Source Treatment	Emissions limits: SO2, NOx, opacity
Emergency Generating Limits	PTE based on 500 hours

 

DE MINIMIS EXEMPTIONS

If the source is smaller than 400 hp it is exempt from permitting (as long as it does not trigger any federal programs). Units with actual emissions below specified thresholds are entitled to “small unit” and “substantial small unit” exemptions. Small unit exemption status requires that the unit maintain on-site exemption justification; substantial small unit exemption status requires written notification to the state at least 10 days prior to commencing construction. These thresholds are:

 

Pollutant	Small Unit threshold (tpy)	Substantial Small Unit (tpy)
NO, VOC, SO2, CO, or PM	5	3.75
PM-10	2.5	1.875
HAPs	0.5	3.75

 

If the emissions from small and substantially small units reach a total of 40 tons SO2, NOx, or VOC; 100 tons CO, 15 tons PM-10, or 10 tons HAPs, then the facility must apply for a construction permit.

MINOR SOURCE PERMITTING

Iowa has a permitting hotline to answer questions: 1-877-AIR-IOWA.

Dispersion modeling could be required for minor sources; refer to the permit source forms which take the user through steps to evaluate if modeling is required and what information to provide. In many cases, the department conducts the modeling for small sources, if it is required. If the source is found to have a significant impact on the ambient air quality the state will attempt to give an applicant options for avoiding an ambient impact such as raising the stack or taking limits in the permit. The permit will have the emission rate limit that was used in modeling, if applicable, (based on NAAQS), and/or a NOx limit, and may have testing requirements. In addition, sources firing liquid fuel cannot emit more than 2.5 lb/MMBtu of SO2 and units burning natural gas are limited to 500 ppm for SO2. Particulates for fuel combustion sources used for power generation must meet 0.8 lb/MMBtu and an opacity limit of 40% or less.
There is no public comment period for minor sources. A 30 day comment period will be granted if one is requested by interested parties. The state usually takes about 60 days to issue the permit.

MAJOR NSR/PSD PERMITTING

A potential to emit 250 tons (100 for listed sources) per year of a criteria pollutant triggers PSD in attainment areas.

TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY ENGINES

The potential to emit for an emergency generator is based on 500 hours per year of operation. However, if the unit operates more than 500 hours it no longer qualifies and its potential to emit is based on full time operation unless the owner takes a permit with an operating limit. Units can only be operated during a power outage and for maintenance. There is no specific limit on maintenance hours, however if it is not clear that the unit has been operated in accordance with state requirements the state will make a common sense determination as to whether the unit is in compliance or not.

SITING REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-UTILITY GENERATORS:

The Iowa Code (476A) states that a developer cannot commence construction of an electric generating facility with a capacity of or exceeding 25 MW until the Iowa Utilities Board has issued a Certificate of Public Convenience, Use, and Necessity. It is possible that if the Board determines that the proposed facility will not harm the public interest, it can waive certificate requirements for facilities of up to 100 MW. The decision criteria do not apply to non-utility generators who sell electrical output onto the competitive electric markets.

BUILDING, ZONING AND FIRE CODES:

Building Codes: The Iowa State Building Code (SBC) applies to state facilities as well as in communities that have adopted the Iowa SBC [1]. Currently, Iowa enforces the 2007 SBC, which is based off of the 2006 IBC with state amendments.

• Building Code Bureau

Energy Codes: Iowa mandates the 2006 IECC with no amendments as part of the 2007 SBC.

Fire Codes: In 2007, Iowa adopted [2] the 2006 IFC with amendments.

• Iowa State Fire Marshall

Zoning: Zoning and planning happens at the local level. Check with each jurisdiction regarding their zoning codes.

Resources (information may not be as current as provided above)

A general overview of each state’s enacted codes can be found HERE.

The International Code Council Adoption page gives state-by-state adoption status of specific ICC codes, as well as information about code adoption by some municipal governments within that state.

Information about energy codes can be found at the DOE’s Building Codes for Energy Efficiency page or at the Building Codes Assistance Project

INTERCONNECTION REQUIREMENTS:

In Progress: There are currently no uniform statewide interconnection standards in place, but the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) issued a preliminary interconnection model through docket NOI-06-4 in April 2007. The IUB does have interconnection standards for Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) qualifying facilities.

The IUB sets minimum power quality and safety standards for qualifying facilities (QF) in Rule 15.10 (IAC § 199-15.10) under the U.S. Public Utilities Regulatory Act (PURPA). Rule 15.10 establishes utility review procedures for interconnection, grants qualifying facilities (QF) the right of appeal, grants utilities access rights for inspection and testing, and allows utilities to disconnect QFs in emergency situations. Iowa Utilities Board sub-rule 15.11(4) (IAC § 199-15.11(4)) requires rate-regulated utilities to file standard contract provisions for renewable energy QFs, subject to IUB approval.

For more information contact your electric generation and distribution utility or the IUB.

Iowa Utilities Board
350 Maple Street
Des Moines, IA 5031
John Pearce
Phone: (515) 281-5679
E-Mail:John.Pearce@Iowa.gov

EXIT FEES:

There is no statewide policy on exit fees, and no utility charges exit fees.

UTILITY STANDBY RATES:

Iowa does not have a statewide policy on standby rates. The state’s two largest electric utilities have their own policies on standby rates, summarized below.

Interstate Power and Light Co (Alliant Energy) - Pre-scheduled Energy Only Standby Service: Standby service is provided on a contract basis at a primarily demand-based rate with variable energy charges. There is a penalty for exceeding the contract demand. Billing demand is based on the maximum demand of the month with a 12 month ratchet. More detailed rate information is available at: http://www.alliantenergy.com/docs/groups/public/documents/pub/p019474.hcsp

MidAmerican Energy Co - Rider No. 8 - standby service is offered to customers who contract for a specified amount of standby capacity with the utility. The customer will be charged under the regular rate they would receive service at if they were not generating power subject to minimum charges based on the contract standby demand. Billing demand is typically based on the higher of the maximum demand of the month or 75% of the maximum established in the previous period of June-Sept. Rate available at: http://www.midamericanenergy.com/html/rates1b3.asp